# Critical launch for Vulcan as ULA targets Friday the 13th

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/critical-launch-for-vulcan-as-ula-targets-friday-the-13th/
- Published: 2026-10-29T13:15:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T13:24:26+00:00
- Original publisher: The Register
- Original article: https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/2026/10/29/critical-launch-for-vulcan-as-ula-targets-friday-the-13th/5306243
- Topics: Software

## Key points

- Vulcan is targeting a 13 November return to flight.
- The mission will carry 40 Amazon Leo satellites.
- ULA says it has improved the booster nozzle design.

## Summary

United Launch Alliance is targeting Friday 13 November for Vulcan’s return to flight, carrying 40 Amazon Leo satellites into orbit. The launch matters because Vulcan has been grounded while ULA investigated recurring problems with its solid rocket boosters, and Amazon has booked 38 Vulcan missions to expand its satellite constellation.

The rocket will use two BE-4 engines and six solid rocket boosters, with a Centaur V upper stage powered by two RL10C-1 engines. On an earlier flight, an SRB nozzle suffered a significant performance anomaly, although the Space Force payload reached orbit; a nozzle had also been shed on Vulcan’s second launch in 2024. ULA says it has introduced nozzle design and process improvements, but has not published the investigation’s findings, and plans further testing alongside the mission.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.